Salt Water Fly Fishing

Salt water fly fishing has grown in popularity over the past half century as many fisherman experience the thrill and excitement of the sport. Some choose to don their waders and fish from the shoreline, some prefer to use a small boat as they explore shallow fishing areas, and still others opt for the adventure of deep sea fly fishing. Nearly three quarters of the earth is covered with salt water, giving those who enjoy salt water fly fishing an unlimited number of places to fish.

Understanding the flow of the tides is essential for any salt water fly fisherman. Tides affect the water's temperature and its clarity two of the factors that have an effect on the movement of the fish in the area.  If you are fly fishing near an inland bay or a lagoon, the tides will play a major role in choosing the best area f to fish. For example, if the body of water is tide-drained through a narrow creek, fish will be feeding on the smaller fish that have been swept through it. The best place to fish is down side of the mouth of the creek.

On both the Atlantic and Pacific coats the tide rises and falls twice within a twenty-four-hour period. In the Gulf of Mexico, there are some places where the tide rises only once a day. There are thousands of miles of coastline in the United States which offer an almost unlimited number of locations for fly fishing.

Most salt water fly fishing is done in relatively shallow waters, or very close to the shore. This is called inshore fishing, and includes fly fishing done from the shore or from a small boat in shallow waters. Many varieties of fish can be taken while inshore fishing including striped bass, channel bass, bluefish, bonefish, flounder, bonito, barracuda, rockfish, cobia, halibut, jack crevalle, jewfish, ladyfish, mackerel, pollack, pompano, shark, snapper, snook, rooster fish, tarpon, and weakfish.

Deep water fly fishing can be extremely exciting and challenging to a salt water fly fisherman. This type of fishing is done in water more than twelve feet deep from a boat that can range in size from a ten foot skiff to a 50 foot oceangoing vessel. Deep water fly fishing is quickly becoming one of the more popular ways to fish.

Deep water fish sought by fly fishermen are roughly divided into two categories, roamers and homebodies. Roamers are mostly pelagic and move great distances in a short time. Some of the varieties of roamers that can be caught while fly fishing, include albacore, dolphin, marlin, wahoo, sailfish, yellowtail, and tuna. Homebodies sometimes appear in schools, but it is not unusual to find a solitary one. Homebodies include African pompano, Great barracuda, rockfish, grouper, amerjack, and snapper. These are only a few of the many vanities that are available to fly fishermen that fish the deep ocean waters.

Whether you decide to fish inshore or deep sea, salt water fly fishing will provide an exciting, challenging and memorable experience.

Top Fly Fishing Spots In The World

Fly fishing is a popular sport around the world with millions of men and women enjoying fly fishing each year. Where are the world's best fly fishing destinations for that dream vacation? A lot will depend on how much you want to spend and the type of fly fishing you enjoy but these are some of the world's best fly fishing locations.

No consideration of the world's best fly fishing locations would be complete without the chalk streams of Hampshire, England. This is where modern fly fishing really all began. Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler published in 1653, fished these very waters. These waters are carefully managed with private, scheduled access only. But if you want a taste of authentic, English fly fishing, Hampshire might just be your destination.

The rivers of Labrador in eastern Canada are still home to native brook trout. Labrador's brook trout approach sizes seldom, if ever, seen in the United States. Brook trout of three to eight pounds are reportedly quite common with some being even larger.

New Zealand's North and South islands are well known for their fly fishing. Crystal clear waters are home to both brown trout and rainbow trout. New Zealand has opposite seasons to the United States so fishing New Zealand allows you to literally have the best of both worlds. New Zealand has been called a trout fishing Mecca for the incredible fly fishing opportunities it provides anglers.

Patagonia, Argentina provides yet another reverse-season fly fishing paradise. Argentina's rivers are home to brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. The Rio Grande River in Tierra del Fuego is also home to sea-run brown trout reputed to be the largest anywhere in the world.

Belize is well known for its saltwater fly fishing. Fly fishing in Belize provides the opportunity to catch bonefish, permit and tarpon all in the same day. Once you have had your fill of fly fishing there is always scuba diving or just relaxing on an incredible beach. The variety of activities available during a Belize vacation can make this location the perfect destination if your spouse is less thrilled than you are with fly fishing.

Christmas Island in Kiribati is a world-renowned bonefish fly fishing location. Christmas Island's shallow flats provide some of the world's best bonefish and trivially fishing anywhere. Christmas Island has long been a popular, saltwater fly fishing destination.

Alaska offers some of the best fly fishing in the United States. The diversity of choices makes this an obvious consideration in the Americas. From streams to lakes and from rainbows to salmon Alaska is a dream fly fishing destination.

Where in the world should you pick for your next fly fishing vacation? Much will depend on your location, your budget and the style of fly fishing you want to experience. Fly fishing is a popular sport around the world with options for just about everyone. Whether you like saltwater or freshwater fly fishing, islands of mainland, there is a dream fly fishing destination for you.